Intel Prepares Low-Voltage Xeon with 64-bit Extensions

The world’s top microprocessor supplier Intel Corporation is preparing low-voltage versions of its future Intel Xeon processor with Nocona core and 64-bit extension technology to enter the market in the fourth quarter of the year.

Intel currently supplies its LV Xeon processors as well as Intel Pentium M processors for 2-way and 1-way ultra-thin servers with low power consumption. The demand for such solutions exists in communications and some other markets, however, the so-called LV servers need some time to become popular among customers.

Intel LV Intel Xeon 1.60GHz chip features core voltage of 1.3V and thermal design power of about 30W. Intel also supplies low voltage Xeon processors at 2.0GHz and 2.40GHz core-clock speeds. Current generation of LV Xeon processors for 2-way applications is intended for Socket 604 and 400MHz Quad Pumped Bus.

Intel’s latest desktop Pentium 4 E CPUs typically dissipate loads of heat because of increased transistor count as well as certain issues with the company’s 90nm process technology. Intel Xeon Nocona processors may also end up as pretty hot chips. However, the company of Santa Clara, California, is working to reduce power consumption as a result of transistor leakage by its 90nm CPUs.

According to sources close to Intel, the company moved the launch of LV Xeon “Nocona” processor from the Q3 2004 to Q4 2004. System developers will still receive samples of LV Nocona chips at initially set timeframes to make computers using new LV Xeon processors available right after the official commercial launch.

The new LV Xeon “Nocona” processors will be fairly different compared to the LV Xeon CPUs shipping now from numerous micro architectural points of view. The main difference is certainly support for 64-bit extension technology; however, there are numerous factors that will drive speed of LV Xeon products upwards. Firstly, Nocona’s L1 cache is two times larger compared to the current Xeon DP processors’ and equals to 16KB. Secondly, Nocona includes 16K uOps Trace Cache, a substantial improvement over current 12K uOps. Thirdly, 90nm DP products will make use of Prescott’s new, more efficient branch prediction mechanism. Fourthly, the new Xeon 1M microprocessors will feature SSE3 technology. Fifthly, the new LV Xeon chips will have 1MB of L2 cache compared to 512KB L2 cache on current offerings. Finally, the new Intel LV Xeon “Nocona” will boast with enhanced efficiency of the Hyper-Threading technology. Additionally, the new LV Xeon chips will have 800MHz Quad Pumped Bus, a 100% boost over Intel’s present LV Xeon chips that feature 400MHz processor system bus.

The highest speed flavor for LV Xeon Nocona this year will be 2.80GHz. The microprocessor will be compatible with E7710 (Lindenhurst) chipset. Pricing of the part is to be confirmed at a later date.